Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.
1. The keynote speaker began his address with a humorous _ that was _ to his presentation.
a. anachronism...fortuitous
b. abbreviation...conditional
c. aberration...instructional
d. anomaly...enigmatic e. anecdote...relevant
2. The computer and software _ donated more than a million dollars to the ASPCA.
a. peon b. panhandler
c. pauper
d. typhoon
e. magnate
Practice #20
(1) Sunnydale High was very proud of its standardized test scores, which have risen steadily over the last ten years. (2) In contrast, test scores have actually declined in some school districts in the area. (3) Sunnydale's rising scores are evidence that Sunnydale High is doing a better job of educating students than other schools in the area. (4) The test scores also reflect well on the teachers.
1. Which revision does sentence 1 most need?
a. Replace "was" with "had been."
b. Replace "was" with "is."
c. Add "which" after "Sunnydale High."
d. Add "that" after Sunnydale High. e. Replace "its" with "their."
Practice #21
If there is an error, select the bolded part that must be changed to make the sentence correct.
1. The Joneses' schnauzer barked wildly inside her doghouse. No error.
2. The amateur hockey players who are going to try out for the Olympics in a few weeks includes several local superstars. No error.
Practice #22
Read the passage and choose the best answers to the questions that follow it.
(1) Computer technology is advancing so quickly that computer users can hardly keep up without spending lots of money. (2) When someone purchases a top-of-the-line computer, he can be sure that after only a few weeks, his new computer will no longer be cutting edge. (3) A computer that cost over a thousand dollars ten years ago would probably fetch only a few dollars at a garage sale today. (4) Companies often stop providing tech support for programs that are only a few years old, making them even more impractical.
1. Which of the following is the main idea of the passage?
a. There is no point in buying a computer.
b. Computers are smart investments for people hoping to resell them at a profit. c. Rapid advances in computer technology make it hard to stay up-to-date.
d. The cost of computers does not equal the power of computers.
e. It's best to shop for computers at garage sales.
2. Which of the following would be the best conclusion for the passage? a. People determined to stay up-to-date should be ready to spend quite a bit of money.
b. Buying computers is largely impractical.
c. People should purchase top-of-the-line computers if they can.
d. Someone who wanted to open a computer store would make millions if she sold new technology at low prices.
e. Someone insistent on buying a computer should expect either to spend a fortune or be stuck with inferior technology.
Practice #23
1. The morning exercise class and the afternoon yoga class attracted so many participants that the manager of the health club was forced to hire another exercise instructor and another yoga instructor. No error.
2. One of the main reasons cities have begun enforcing bans on smoking are to protect the health of those who do not smoke and to reduce air pollution. No error.
Practice #24
(1) The spirit of competition is often the ostensible reason that high schools offer competitive extracurricular activities. (2) However, one might argue that competitive activities really exist to generate revenue for the school and promote its name. (3) Sports like football and basketball draw thousands of people to the stands each year, generating profits for the school. (4) Other competitive activities, such as debate, showcase students for colleges and universities. (5) Such competitions are nothing more than free advertisement and shameless self-promotion for schools.
1. The author of the paragraph above can best be described as which of the following?
a. supportive of competitive extracurricular activities
b. cynical about the legitimacy of the results of competitions
c. supportive of schools' motivations for sponsoring competitive extracurricular activities d. cynical about schools' motivations for sponsoring competitive extracurricular activities
e. ambivalent about the role of competitive extracurricular activities.
2. In sentence 1, "ostensible" means
a. subversive
b. submersed c. apparent
d. contradictory
e. without reservation
Practice #25
Choose the error.
1. The new deli, on the corner with the great pastrami sandwiches, gets many of its customers from the office building across the street. No error
2. Maggie ran down the stairs, darted out the door, tripped over the skateboard, andscrapes her knee on the hard concrete. No error.
Practice #26
Choose the answer that most improves the bolded portion of the original sentence.
1. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy; we need a professional cleaning crew.
a. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy; we
b. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy: we
c. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy. We
d. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy because we e. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy that we
2. My uncle played baseball in the minor leagues not only in the United States and in Japan.
a. not only in the United States and in Japan
b. not only in the United States after in Japan
c. not only in the United States and in Japan in addition d. not only in the United States but also in Japan
Practice #27
(1) Before steam engines were used in the construction of railroads, railroad workers put down track by hand and then hammered the spikes. (2) According to legend, a man named John Henry could drive spikes faster than any other worker. (3) Eventually technology improved. (4) Steam power was applied to a device that drove spikes. (5) Promoters arranged for John Henry to compete in a railroad-spike-driving contest against the steam-powered device. (6) Ultimately, John Henry wins the competition.
1. Which of the following sentences is the best combination of sentence 3 and 4?
a. Eventually the technology was applied to the device that improved spike driving.
b. The spike-driving device eventually improved as the technology improved and steam power was applied. c. Technology improved, and a steam-powered device to drive spikes was invented.
d. As the spike-driving device became steam-powered, technology eventually evolved.
e. As steam technology eventually improved, spike-driving technology was applied.
2. Which of the following revisions does sentence 6 most need? a. Replace "wins" with "won."
b. Replace "wins" with "will win."
c. Remove the comma after "Ultimately."
d. Replace "Ultimately" with "Therefore."
e. Replace "Ultimately" with "Additionally."
Practice #28
1. The scholar believed it was his duty to _ the masses by telling them about his revolutionary _ .
a. deprecate...enigma
b. incarcerate...policy
c. subjugate...jargon d. enlighten...doctrine
e. dominate...proselytized
2. The career counselor says that in the current economy, it is _ to apply for several jobs instead of holding out for the ideal job.
a. reprehensible
b. gratifying c. prudent
d. indispensable
e. audacious none
Practice #29
(1) Some people complain that film actors make too much money. (2) What these people don't understand is that most actors are worth their exorbitant salaries. (3) Even terrible movies can be salvaged by a great actor in a lead or supporting role, so it's no wonder that top actors command millions of dollars per movie. (4) If a movie that costs $150 million to make grosses $225 million because Hollywood's hottest leading man starred in it, that leading man's $5 million salary was a great investment. (5) People who complain about highly paid professions like actors and actresses simply haven't thought about the economics of making a hit film.
1. One can infer from the passage that great actors
a. have a fair market value of $5 million b. can overcome flawed scripts
c. pale in comparison to state-of-the-art special effects
d. drive hard-working people away from theaters
2. The author of the passage implies that those people who object to actors' high salaries
a. rarely go to the movies
b. are jealous of the actors' wealth
c. misunderstand the lifestyles actors must lead d. lack the business sense to comprehend the actors' true value
e. have no way of comprehending what $5 million can buy
practice #30
Choose the error.
1. Me and her went to dinner, to the movies, to the coffee shop, and then to the lake to watch the sunrise. No error.
2. The scientist was flabbergasted when he read the final report, which verified that the element was made of string cheese. No error.
Practice #31
1. The residents of the _ region performed a rain dance and were rewarded with a _.
a. parched...heat
b. scorched...validation
c. saturated...monsoon d. arid...deluge
e. barren...consecration
2. The waitstaff always fights to serve Ms. Pratt, an extravagant tipper who is famous for her _.
a. miserliness b. efficiency
c. deliberation
d. largess
e. consternation
Practice #32
Choose the answer that most improves the portion in bold. 1. Determine to make his mark in the business world, Larry went to grad school to get his M.B.A. a. Determine
b. Determination
c. By determining
d. Because of determining
e. Determined
2. Remember that movie stars, however snotty and bratty they are now, was once a regular person just like everyone else.
a. was once a regular person b. were once a regular person
c. was once regular people
d. once, as a regular person,
e. were once regular people
Practice #33
(1) Despite the relative reluctance of Americans to adopt it, soccer is the most popular sport in the world and has been for several decades. (2) Soccer, which is called "football" in most places, has few rules compared with such sports as baseball. (3) Also, in contract to baseball and American football, soccer games have few pauses in the action. (4) Soccer scores aren't as high as scores are in American sports, but many people consider that an exciting feature of the game, because the occasional goal are that much more thrilling.
1. Which of the following is true of the paragraph? a. The author likes soccer.
b. The author is not an American.
c. The author presents the information in an objective manner.
d. The author is biased against American sports.
e. The author is biased against soccer.
2. Which of the following is the main idea of the passage?
a. Soccer is more popular in Europe than American football is. b. Soccer is a great sport, despite its unpopularity in America.
c. Baseball and basketball will need overhauls if they are to compete on the world stage with soccer.
d. Soccer is an all-around better sport than any other in the world.
e. Soccer is the simplest sport in the world.
Practice #34
Choose the error.
1. People shouldn't never pump gas while a car's engine is running, because of the possibility of a spark causing a fire. No error
2. When Alicia arrived home, she found that the dogs had got into the trash and spilled it everywhere. No error
Practice #35
Choose the answer that most improves the bolded portion of the sentence.
1. I had a dream that I turned into a cartoon character and a guy with an eraser had chased me for hours.
a. had chased
b. have chased
c. did chase
d. chased
e. has chased
2. Silent movies use music, actors' expressions to convey emotions.
a. music, actors'
b. music, along with actors'
c. music, together with actors'
d. music but actors'
e. music and actors'
Practice #36
(1) College tuitions are soaring, leaving many parents wondering if they will be able to afford higher education for their children. (2) Cutbacks in government aid combined with skyrocketing tuition are making it unfeasible even for families of moderate wealth to fully fund their children's educations. (3) In America, people say that you can be anything you want to be. (4) But getting an education is crucial if you hope to achieve the American dream.
1. With which of the following statements would the author of this passage most likely agree?
a. The government should help students pay for college. b. The cost of a college education is unreasonable.
c. Borrowing money for college may be the answer to rising education costs.
d. An education is not necessary to succeed in America.
e. High school students should think twice about going to college.
2. In sentence 2, the word "unfeasible" means
a. possible b. unworkable c. indescribable
d. indiscernible
e. irreconcilable
Practice #37
Choose the answer that most improves the bolded portion of the sentence.
1. Some of the most beautiful fish in the world are found not in either the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, but rather in my aquarium.
a. not in neither the Caribbean or the Mediterranean
b. not in either the Caribbean nor the Mediterranean
c. not in neither the Caribbean nor the Mediterranean
d. in neither the Caribbean or the Mediterranean e. neither in the Caribbean nor in the Mediterranean
2. The teacher always told the class that their's no such thing as a stupid question.
a. told the class that their's no such thing
b. told the class that their wasn't no such thing
c. told the class that theirs no such thing d. told the class that there is no such thing
e. told the class that there were no such things
Practice #38
Complete the sentence.
1. The priest's _ approach to the dilemma made sense even to the most confirmed .
a. enigmatic...optimist
b. reluctant...participant c. influential...observer
d. sporadic...cynic e. pragmatic...skeptic
2. The__ _ violinist has been amazing audiences since she was thirteen years old.
a. financier
b. tycoon
c. philanthropist
d. recluse e. virtuoso
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Practice #19
Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.1. The keynote speaker began his address with a humorous _ that was _ to his presentation.
a. anachronism...fortuitous
b. abbreviation...conditional
c. aberration...instructional
d. anomaly...enigmatic
e. anecdote...relevant
2. The computer and software _ donated more than a million dollars to the ASPCA.
a. peon
b. panhandler
c. pauper
d. typhoon
e. magnate
Practice #20
(1) Sunnydale High was very proud of its standardized test scores, which have risen steadily over the last ten years. (2) In contrast, test scores have actually declined in some school districts in the area. (3) Sunnydale's rising scores are evidence that Sunnydale High is doing a better job of educating students than other schools in the area. (4) The test scores also reflect well on the teachers.1. Which revision does sentence 1 most need?
a. Replace "was" with "had been."
b. Replace "was" with "is."
c. Add "which" after "Sunnydale High."
d. Add "that" after Sunnydale High.
e. Replace "its" with "their."
Practice #21
If there is an error, select the bolded part that must be changed to make the sentence correct.1. The Joneses' schnauzer barked wildly inside her doghouse. No error.
2. The amateur hockey players who are going to try out for the Olympics in a few weeks includes several local superstars. No error.
Practice #22
Read the passage and choose the best answers to the questions that follow it.(1) Computer technology is advancing so quickly that computer users can hardly keep up without spending lots of money. (2) When someone purchases a top-of-the-line computer, he can be sure that after only a few weeks, his new computer will no longer be cutting edge. (3) A computer that cost over a thousand dollars ten years ago would probably fetch only a few dollars at a garage sale today. (4) Companies often stop providing tech support for programs that are only a few years old, making them even more impractical.
1. Which of the following is the main idea of the passage?
a. There is no point in buying a computer.
b. Computers are smart investments for people hoping to resell them at a profit.
c. Rapid advances in computer technology make it hard to stay up-to-date.
d. The cost of computers does not equal the power of computers.
e. It's best to shop for computers at garage sales.
2. Which of the following would be the best conclusion for the passage?
a. People determined to stay up-to-date should be ready to spend quite a bit of money.
b. Buying computers is largely impractical.
c. People should purchase top-of-the-line computers if they can.
d. Someone who wanted to open a computer store would make millions if she sold new technology at low prices.
e. Someone insistent on buying a computer should expect either to spend a fortune or be stuck with inferior technology.
Practice #23
1. The morning exercise class and the afternoon yoga class attracted so many participants that the manager of the health club was forced to hire another exercise instructor and another yoga instructor. No error.2. One of the main reasons cities have begun enforcing bans on smoking are to protect the health of those who do not smoke and to reduce air pollution. No error.
Practice #24
(1) The spirit of competition is often the ostensible reason that high schools offer competitive extracurricular activities. (2) However, one might argue that competitive activities really exist to generate revenue for the school and promote its name. (3) Sports like football and basketball draw thousands of people to the stands each year, generating profits for the school. (4) Other competitive activities, such as debate, showcase students for colleges and universities. (5) Such competitions are nothing more than free advertisement and shameless self-promotion for schools.1. The author of the paragraph above can best be described as which of the following?
a. supportive of competitive extracurricular activities
b. cynical about the legitimacy of the results of competitions
c. supportive of schools' motivations for sponsoring competitive extracurricular activities
d. cynical about schools' motivations for sponsoring competitive extracurricular activities
e. ambivalent about the role of competitive extracurricular activities.
2. In sentence 1, "ostensible" means
a. subversive
b. submersed
c. apparent
d. contradictory
e. without reservation
Practice #25
Choose the error.1. The new deli, on the corner with the great pastrami sandwiches, gets many of its customers from the office building across the street. No error
2. Maggie ran down the stairs, darted out the door, tripped over the skateboard, and scrapes her knee on the hard concrete. No error.
Practice #26
Choose the answer that most improves the bolded portion of the original sentence.1. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy; we need a professional cleaning crew.
a. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy; we
b. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy: we
c. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy. We
d. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy because we
e. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy that we
2. My uncle played baseball in the minor leagues not only in the United States and in Japan.
a. not only in the United States and in Japan
b. not only in the United States after in Japan
c. not only in the United States and in Japan in addition
d. not only in the United States but also in Japan
Practice #27
(1) Before steam engines were used in the construction of railroads, railroad workers put down track by hand and then hammered the spikes. (2) According to legend, a man named John Henry could drive spikes faster than any other worker. (3) Eventually technology improved. (4) Steam power was applied to a device that drove spikes. (5) Promoters arranged for John Henry to compete in a railroad-spike-driving contest against the steam-powered device. (6) Ultimately, John Henry wins the competition.1. Which of the following sentences is the best combination of sentence 3 and 4?
a. Eventually the technology was applied to the device that improved spike driving.
b. The spike-driving device eventually improved as the technology improved and steam power was applied.
c. Technology improved, and a steam-powered device to drive spikes was invented.
d. As the spike-driving device became steam-powered, technology eventually evolved.
e. As steam technology eventually improved, spike-driving technology was applied.
2. Which of the following revisions does sentence 6 most need?
a. Replace "wins" with "won."
b. Replace "wins" with "will win."
c. Remove the comma after "Ultimately."
d. Replace "Ultimately" with "Therefore."
e. Replace "Ultimately" with "Additionally."
Practice #28
1. The scholar believed it was his duty to _ the masses by telling them about his revolutionary _ .a. deprecate...enigma
b. incarcerate...policy
c. subjugate...jargon
d. enlighten...doctrine
e. dominate...proselytized
2. The career counselor says that in the current economy, it is _ to apply for several jobs instead of holding out for the ideal job.
a. reprehensible
b. gratifying
c. prudent
d. indispensable
e. audacious none
Practice #29
(1) Some people complain that film actors make too much money. (2) What these people don't understand is that most actors are worth their exorbitant salaries. (3) Even terrible movies can be salvaged by a great actor in a lead or supporting role, so it's no wonder that top actors command millions of dollars per movie. (4) If a movie that costs $150 million to make grosses $225 million because Hollywood's hottest leading man starred in it, that leading man's $5 million salary was a great investment. (5) People who complain about highly paid professions like actors and actresses simply haven't thought about the economics of making a hit film.1. One can infer from the passage that great actors
a. have a fair market value of $5 million
b. can overcome flawed scripts
c. pale in comparison to state-of-the-art special effects
d. drive hard-working people away from theaters
2. The author of the passage implies that those people who object to actors' high salaries
a. rarely go to the movies
b. are jealous of the actors' wealth
c. misunderstand the lifestyles actors must lead
d. lack the business sense to comprehend the actors' true value
e. have no way of comprehending what $5 million can buy
practice #30
Choose the error.1. Me and her went to dinner, to the movies, to the coffee shop, and then to the lake to watch the sunrise. No error.
2. The scientist was flabbergasted when he read the final report, which verified that the element was made of string cheese. No error.
Practice #31
1. The residents of the _ region performed a rain dance and were rewarded with a _.
a. parched...heat
b. scorched...validation
c. saturated...monsoon
d. arid...deluge
e. barren...consecration
2. The waitstaff always fights to serve Ms. Pratt, an extravagant tipper who is famous for her _.
a. miserliness
b. efficiency
c. deliberation
d. largess
e. consternation
Practice #32
Choose the answer that most improves the portion in bold.1. Determine to make his mark in the business world, Larry went to grad school to get his M.B.A.
a. Determine
b. Determination
c. By determining
d. Because of determining
e. Determined
2. Remember that movie stars, however snotty and bratty they are now, was once a regular person just like everyone else.
a. was once a regular person
b. were once a regular person
c. was once regular people
d. once, as a regular person,
e. were once regular people
Practice #33
(1) Despite the relative reluctance of Americans to adopt it, soccer is the most popular sport in the world and has been for several decades. (2) Soccer, which is called "football" in most places, has few rules compared with such sports as baseball. (3) Also, in contract to baseball and American football, soccer games have few pauses in the action. (4) Soccer scores aren't as high as scores are in American sports, but many people consider that an exciting feature of the game, because the occasional goal are that much more thrilling.1. Which of the following is true of the paragraph?
a. The author likes soccer.
b. The author is not an American.
c. The author presents the information in an objective manner.
d. The author is biased against American sports.
e. The author is biased against soccer.
2. Which of the following is the main idea of the passage?
a. Soccer is more popular in Europe than American football is.
b. Soccer is a great sport, despite its unpopularity in America.
c. Baseball and basketball will need overhauls if they are to compete on the world stage with soccer.
d. Soccer is an all-around better sport than any other in the world.
e. Soccer is the simplest sport in the world.
Practice #34
Choose the error.1. People shouldn't never pump gas while a car's engine is running, because of the possibility of a spark causing a fire. No error
2. When Alicia arrived home, she found that the dogs had got into the trash and spilled it everywhere. No error
Practice #35
Choose the answer that most improves the bolded portion of the sentence.1. I had a dream that I turned into a cartoon character and a guy with an eraser had chased me for hours.
a. had chased
b. have chased
c. did chase
d. chased
e. has chased
2. Silent movies use music, actors' expressions to convey emotions.
a. music, actors'
b. music, along with actors'
c. music, together with actors'
d. music but actors'
e. music and actors'
Practice #36
(1) College tuitions are soaring, leaving many parents wondering if they will be able to afford higher education for their children. (2) Cutbacks in government aid combined with skyrocketing tuition are making it unfeasible even for families of moderate wealth to fully fund their children's educations. (3) In America, people say that you can be anything you want to be. (4) But getting an education is crucial if you hope to achieve the American dream.1. With which of the following statements would the author of this passage most likely agree?
a. The government should help students pay for college.
b. The cost of a college education is unreasonable.
c. Borrowing money for college may be the answer to rising education costs.
d. An education is not necessary to succeed in America.
e. High school students should think twice about going to college.
2. In sentence 2, the word "unfeasible" means
a. possible
b. unworkable
c. indescribable
d. indiscernible
e. irreconcilable
Practice #37
Choose the answer that most improves the bolded portion of the sentence.1. Some of the most beautiful fish in the world are found not in either the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, but rather in my aquarium.
a. not in neither the Caribbean or the Mediterranean
b. not in either the Caribbean nor the Mediterranean
c. not in neither the Caribbean nor the Mediterranean
d. in neither the Caribbean or the Mediterranean
e. neither in the Caribbean nor in the Mediterranean
2. The teacher always told the class that their's no such thing as a stupid question.
a. told the class that their's no such thing
b. told the class that their wasn't no such thing
c. told the class that theirs no such thing
d. told the class that there is no such thing
e. told the class that there were no such things
Practice #38
Complete the sentence.1. The priest's _ approach to the dilemma made sense even to the most confirmed .
a. enigmatic...optimist
b. reluctant...participant
c. influential...observer
d. sporadic...cynic
e. pragmatic...skeptic
2. The__ _ violinist has been amazing audiences since she was thirteen years old.
a. financier
b. tycoon
c. philanthropist
d. recluse
e. virtuoso
Tagging pages is now done in a new place. Once you have saved your changes, click on the "Page" tab and select "Details and Tags". ||